New legislation is set to be passed that will involve stronger penalties for those caught illegally downloading content such as films and music from the web.

The new legislation involves a three-strikes system where offenders are given three formal warnings, and if they continue to illegally download content, copyright owners can apply for up to $15,000 compensation. The copyright owner can also request the offenders service provider cuts off the customers internet service for up to 6 months.

Offenders who feel they have been wrongly penalised can take their case to the Copyright Tribunal, for free.

Under the new law, offenders' internet account usage will be held for at least 40 days by their internet service provider. Those found to consistently breach copyright laws would face having their internet service cut off by district court ruling.

Read more on the NZ Herald website.